Redbox Scores Summit Titles

LOS ANGELES/OAKBROOK TERRACE: Redbox has clinched a two-year deal with Summit Entertainment, bringing the Twilight movie franchise to its more than 15,000 DVD kiosks across the U.S.

The deal expands the selection of Summit Entertainment titles available at Redbox’s kiosk outlets, providing greater access to Summit’s new-release titles and catalogue as well as direct-to-DVD titles. The new agreement includes Twilight, the upcoming The Twilight Saga: New Moon and the film Knowing. The two-year deal commences January 1, 2010. Redbox has agreed to destroy the Summit product once Redbox removes it from the kiosk.

"We are very pleased to enter into this agreement with Summit as it underscores our commitment to creating winning relationships for our customers and studio partners," said Mitch Lowe, the president of Redbox. "This agreement ensures that we will continue to deliver engaging and popular Summit movie titles to consumers at our kiosks when they are first released at an affordable price."

Stephen Nickerson, the president of home entertainment at Summit Entertainment, added: "Having Summit’s films distributed through the Redbox network provides consumers greater access to our broad range of titles. In addition, by Redbox agreeing to destroy DVDs once they pass their rental life, the risk of low-cost, previously-viewed DVDs being sold into the market is lowered. We see this agreement as a win for both Summit and Redbox."

In related news, Redbox has signed a two-year agreement with NCircle Entertainment for an expanded selection of kids’ fare, including The Jim Henson Company’s Sid the Science Kid, Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, Richard Scarry’s Busytown Mysteries and more. Debbie Ries, the senior VP and general manager of NCircle Entertainment, said of the deal: "Redbox rentals allow the consumer to try before they buy. We are confident that the positive rental experience at Redbox, coupled with the quality and appeal of our content, will translate into increased DVD sales at retail. This agreement is an exciting opportunity for NCircle, Redbox and the consumer."